Tuesday, 20 April 2004

The Venice Carnival

The Carnival celebrations officially begin on 17 January.

Venetian craftsmen developed their characteristic forms of carnival mask, and today these remain 1 of the principal symbols of the city.

People who wear masks over their faces no longer belong to the everyday world, but are symbolically shifted to a different, spiritual world, returning only when the mask is removed.

Until the mask reveals their face, they live in the underworld through a personal transformation and regeneration.

It's symbolic that the carnival's celebrated in winter, when life itself is to be found underground, renewing itself for spring.

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